Overview

Our research methodology is distinguished in two fundamental ways. First, we place an emphasis on incorporating the physics or phenomenology that governs the specific application directly into the signal processing framework, and we consider both experimental and theoretical issues. Second, we maintain a close and highly interactive collaboration with the end-user community that provides necessary feedback to the development process and validates the real-world utility of our research efforts. Our work in these application areas has improved quality of life and safety of life as a result of the development of novel signal processing algorithms.

Utilizing experimental data measured under realistic conditions to test the performance of algorithms, and using insight from the data to guide the algorithm development process is a relatively new focus within traditional signal processing research. This is the approach that we have pursued in the context of our signal processing research. Our work is tightly coupled to the phenomenology associated with our application areas of interest, and the proof of performance always relies on processing or predicting realistic experimental data measured in true-to-life scenarios.

Landmines and improvised explosive devices are a major source of casualties in both current and former conflict zones. These hidden killers remain in the ground for years after conflict has ceased, killing and maiming indiscriminately. Although estimates vary, agencies including the Red Cross and the United Nations believe that...

People with significant disabilities who are clinically described as neurologically "locked-in" are typically unable to move or speak. These people cannot use commercially available augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or speech output devices. Current brain-computer interface (BCI) systems utilizing P300 detection are still...

Cochlear implants are prosthetic devices that deliver direct electrical stimulation to auditory nerve fibers as a mechanism to restore normal hearing in deaf individuals. These devices have resulted in a tremendous improvement in the quality of life for individuals who in some cases have been deaf for decades. Moreover, cochlear...